Press hard and move gesture

ABSTRACT

A method. The method may include obtaining force information regarding an input force applied by an input object to a sensing region of an input device. The method may include determining, using the force information, that the input force exceeds a first force threshold. The method may include determining, using the force information, whether the input force exceeds a second force threshold. The method may include obtaining positional information for an input object in the sensing region of the input device. The method may include determining, using the positional information, that a change in position of the input object is less than a distance threshold when the input force exceeds the second force threshold. The method may include performing an interface action within a graphical user interface in response to determining that the input force decreases below at least the second force threshold.

FIELD

This invention generally relates to electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Input devices including proximity sensor devices (also commonly calledtouchpads or touch sensor devices) are widely used in a variety ofelectronic systems. A proximity sensor device typically includes asensing region, often demarked by a surface, in which the proximitysensor device determines the presence, location and/or motion of one ormore input objects. Proximity sensor devices may be used to provideinterfaces for the electronic system. For example, proximity sensordevices are often used as input devices for larger computing systems(such as opaque touchpads integrated in, or peripheral to, notebook ordesktop computers). Proximity sensor devices are also often used insmaller computing systems (such as touch screens integrated in cellularphones).

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method. The methodincludes obtaining force information regarding an input force applied byat least one input object to a sensing region of an input device. Themethod further includes determining, using the force information, thatthe input force exceeds a first force threshold. The first forcethreshold corresponds to a first amount of force. The method furtherincludes determining, using the force information, whether the inputforce exceeds a second force threshold. The second force thresholdcorresponds to a second amount of force that is greater than the firstamount of force. The method further includes obtaining positionalinformation for the at least one input object in the sensing region ofthe input device. The method further includes determining, using thepositional information, that a change in position of the at least oneinput object is less than a distance threshold when the input forceexceeds the second force threshold. The method further includesperforming an interface action within a graphical user interface inresponse to determining that the input force decreases below at leastthe second force threshold.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a processing systemfor an input device. The input device is configured to sense positionalinformation and force information for input objects in a sensing regionof the input device. The processing system includes sensor circuitrycommunicatively coupled to a various sensor electrodes of the inputdevice. The processing system is configured to determine forceinformation regarding an input force applied by at least one inputobject to an input surface. The processing system is further configuredto determine, using the force information, that the input force exceedsa first force threshold. The first force threshold corresponds to afirst amount of force. The processing system is further configured todetermine, using the force information, whether the input force exceedsa second force threshold. The second force threshold corresponds to asecond amount of force that is greater than the first amount of force.The processing system is further configured to determine, using thepositional information, that a change in position of the at least oneinput object is less than a distance threshold when the input forceexceeds the second force threshold. The processing system is furtherconfigured to perform an interface action within a graphical userinterface in response to determining that the input force decreasesbelow at least the second force threshold.

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to an electronicsystem. The electronic system includes a display device configured todisplay a graphical user interface. The electronic system furtherincludes an input device that includes various sensor electrodes and aninput surface having a sensing region. The electronic system furtherincludes a processing system communicatively coupled to the displaydevice and the input device. The processing system is configured todetermine force information regarding an input force applied by at leastone input object to an input surface. The processing system is furtherconfigured to determine, using the force information, that the inputforce exceeds a first force threshold. The first force thresholdcorresponds to a first amount of force. The processing system is furtherconfigured to determine, using the force information, whether the inputforce exceeds a second force threshold. The second force thresholdcorresponds to a second amount of force that is greater than the firstamount of force. The processing system is further configured todetermine, using the positional information, that a change in positionof the at least one input object is less than a distance threshold whenthe input force exceeds the second force threshold. The processingsystem is further configured to perform an interface action within agraphical user interface in response to determining that the input forcedecreases below at least the second force threshold.

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show cross-sectional diagrams in accordance withone or more embodiments.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show schematic diagrams in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show schematic diagrams in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show flowcharts in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show an example in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a computer system in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of theinvention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by anyexpressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a morethorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known featureshave not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicatingthe description.

Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third,etc.) may be used as an adjective for an element (i.e., any noun in theapplication). The use of ordinal numbers is not to imply or create anyparticular ordering of the elements nor to limit any element to beingonly a single element unless expressly disclosed, such as by the use ofthe terms “before”, “after”, “single”, and other such terminology.Rather, the use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish between theelements. By way of an example, a first element is distinct from asecond element, and the first element may encompass more than oneelement and succeed (or precede) the second element in an ordering ofelements.

Various embodiments provide input devices and methods that facilitateimproved usability. In particular, one or more embodiments are directedto a method that performs an interface action within a graphical userinterface in response to an application of a high input force to aninput device along with a corresponding gesture motion. In one or moreembodiments, for example, the high input force may be detected usingmultiple force thresholds provided by an input device. Furthermore, thetype of gesture motion associated with the high input force maydetermine the type of interface action, accordingly. If the gesturemotion includes a small change in position of an input object, e.g. at adistance less than a specific distance threshold, then one type ofinterface action may performed. On the other hand, the interface actionmay also be selected based on whether the gesture motion occurs beforeor after a high input force is released from an input surface of theinput device.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplaryinput device (100), in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Theinput device (100) may be configured to provide input to an electronicsystem (not shown). As used in this document, the term “electronicsystem” (or “electronic device”) broadly refers to any system capable ofelectronically processing information. Some non-limiting examples ofelectronic systems include personal computers of all sizes and shapes,such as desktop computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, tablets,web browsers, e-book readers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).Additional example electronic systems include composite input devices,such as physical keyboards that include input device (100) and separatejoysticks or key switches. Further example electronic systems includeperipherals, such as data input devices (including remote controls andmice), and data output devices (including display screens and printers).Other examples include remote terminals, kiosks, and video game machines(e.g., video game consoles, portable gaming devices, and the like).Other examples include communication devices (including cellular phones,such as smart phones), and media devices (including recorders, editors,and players such as televisions, set-top boxes, music players, digitalphoto frames, and digital cameras). Additionally, the electronic systemcould be a host or a slave to the input device.

The input device (100) may be implemented as a physical part of theelectronic system, or may be physically separate from the electronicsystem. Further, portions of the input device (100) as part of theelectronic system. For example, all or part of the determination modulemay be implemented in the device driver of the electronic system. Asappropriate, the input device (100) may communicate with parts of theelectronic system using any one or more of the following: buses,networks, and other wired or wireless interconnections. Examples includeI2C, SPI, PS/2, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Bluetooth, RF, and IRDA.

In FIG. 1, the input device (100) is shown as a proximity sensor device(also often referred to as a “touchpad” or a “touch sensor device”)configured to sense input provided by one or more input objects (140) ina sensing region (120). Example input objects include fingers and styli,as shown in FIG. 1. Throughout the specification, the singular form ofinput object is used. Although the singular form is used, multiple inputobjects exist in the sensing region (120). Further, which particularinput objects are in the sensing region may change over the course ofone or more gestures. For example, a first input object may be in thesensing region to perform the first gesture, subsequently, the firstinput object and a second input object may be in the above surfacesensing region, and, finally, a third input object may perform thesecond gesture. To avoid unnecessarily complicating the description, thesingular form of input object is used and refers to all of the abovevariations.

The sensing region (120) encompasses any space above, around, in and/ornear the input device (100) in which the input device (100) is able todetect user input (e.g., user input provided by one or more inputobjects (140)). The sizes, shapes, and locations of particular sensingregions may vary widely from embodiment to embodiment.

In some embodiments, the sensing region (120) extends from a surface ofthe input device (100) in one or more directions into space untilsignal-to-noise ratios prevent sufficiently accurate object detection.The extension above the surface of the input device may be referred toas the above surface sensing region. The distance to which this sensingregion (120) extends in a particular direction, in various embodiments,may be on the order of less than a millimeter, millimeters, centimeters,or more, and may vary significantly with the type of sensing technologyused and the accuracy desired. Thus, some embodiments sense input thatcomprises no contact with any surfaces of the input device (100),contact with an input surface (e.g. a touch surface) of the input device(100), contact with an input surface of the input device (100) coupledwith some amount of applied force or pressure, and/or a combinationthereof. In various embodiments, input surfaces may be provided bysurfaces of casings within which the sensor electrodes reside, by facesheets applied over the sensor electrodes or any casings, etc. In someembodiments, the sensing region (120) has a rectangular shape whenprojected onto an input surface of the input device (100).

The input device (100) may utilize any combination of sensor componentsand sensing technologies to detect user input in the sensing region(120). The input device (100) includes one or more sensing elements fordetecting user input. As several non-limiting examples, the input device(100) may use capacitive, elastive, resistive, inductive, magnetic,acoustic, ultrasonic, and/or optical techniques.

Some implementations are configured to provide images that span one,two, three, or higher dimensional spaces. Some implementations areconfigured to provide projections of input along particular axes orplanes. Further, some implementations may be configured to provide acombination of one or more images and one or more projections.

In some resistive implementations of the input device (100), a flexibleand conductive first layer is separated by one or more spacer elementsfrom a conductive second layer. During operation, one or more voltagegradients are created across the layers. Pressing the flexible firstlayer may deflect it sufficiently to create electrical contact betweenthe layers, resulting in voltage outputs reflective of the point(s) ofcontact between the layers. These voltage outputs may be used todetermine positional information.

In some inductive implementations of the input device (100), one or moresensing elements pick up loop currents induced by a resonating coil orpair of coils. Some combination of the magnitude, phase, and frequencyof the currents may then be used to determine positional information.

In some capacitive implementations of the input device (100), voltage orcurrent is applied to create an electric field. Nearby input objectscause changes in the electric field, and produce detectable changes incapacitive coupling that may be detected as changes in voltage, current,or the like.

Some capacitive implementations utilize arrays or other regular orirregular patterns of capacitive sensing elements to create electricfields. In some capacitive implementations, separate sensing elementsmay be ohmically shorted together to form larger sensor electrodes. Somecapacitive implementations utilize resistive sheets, which may beuniformly resistive.

Some capacitive implementations utilize “self capacitance” (or “absolutecapacitance”) sensing methods based on changes in the capacitivecoupling between sensor electrodes and an input object. In variousembodiments, an input object near the sensor electrodes alters theelectric field near the sensor electrodes, thus changing the measuredcapacitive coupling. In one implementation, an absolute capacitancesensing method operates by modulating sensor electrodes with respect toa reference voltage (e.g., system ground), and by detecting thecapacitive coupling between the sensor electrodes and input objects. Thereference voltage may by a substantially constant voltage or a varyingvoltage and in various embodiments; the reference voltage may be systemground. Measurements acquired using absolute capacitance sensing methodsmay be referred to as absolute capacitive measurements.

Some capacitive implementations utilize “mutual capacitance” (or “transcapacitance”) sensing methods based on changes in the capacitivecoupling between sensor electrodes. In various embodiments, an inputobject near the sensor electrodes alters the electric field between thesensor electrodes, thus changing the measured capacitive coupling. Inone implementation, a mutual capacitance sensing method operates bydetecting the capacitive coupling between one or more transmitter sensorelectrodes (also “transmitter electrodes” or “transmitter”) and one ormore receiver sensor electrodes (also “receiver electrodes” or“receiver”). Transmitter sensor electrodes may be modulated relative toa reference voltage (e.g., system ground) to transmit transmittersignals (also called “sensing signal”). Receiver sensor electrodes maybe held substantially constant relative to the reference voltage tofacilitate receipt of resulting signals. The reference voltage may by asubstantially constant voltage and in various embodiments; the referencevoltage may be system ground. In some embodiments, transmitter sensorelectrodes may both be modulated. The transmitter electrodes aremodulated relative to the receiver electrodes to transmit transmittersignals and to facilitate receipt of resulting signals. A resultingsignal may include effect(s) corresponding to one or more transmittersignals, and/or to one or more sources of environmental interference(e.g. other electromagnetic signals). The effect(s) may be thetransmitter signal, a change in the transmitter signal caused by one ormore input objects and/or environmental interference, or other sucheffects. Sensor electrodes may be dedicated transmitters or receivers,or may be configured to both transmit and receive. Measurements acquiredusing mutual capacitance sensing methods may be referred to as mutualcapacitance measurements.

Further, the sensor electrodes may be of varying shapes and/or sizes.The same shapes and/or sizes of sensor electrodes may or may not be inthe same groups. For example, in some embodiments, receiver electrodesmay be of the same shapes and/or sizes while, in other embodiments,receiver electrodes may be varying shapes and/or sizes.

In FIG. 1, a processing system (110) is shown as part of the inputdevice (100). The processing system (110) is configured to operate thehardware of the input device (100) to detect input in the sensing region(120). The processing system (110) includes parts of or all of one ormore integrated circuits (ICs) and/or other circuitry components. Forexample, a processing system for a mutual capacitance sensor device mayinclude transmitter circuitry configured to transmit signals withtransmitter sensor electrodes, and/or receiver circuitry configured toreceive signals with receiver sensor electrodes. Further, a processingsystem for an absolute capacitance sensor device may include drivercircuitry configured to drive absolute capacitance signals onto sensorelectrodes, and/or receiver circuitry configured to receive signals withthose sensor electrodes. In one more embodiments, a processing systemfor a combined mutual and absolute capacitance sensor device may includeany combination of the above described mutual and absolute capacitancecircuitry. In some embodiments, the processing system (110) alsoincludes electronically-readable instructions, such as firmware code,software code, and/or the like. In some embodiments, componentscomposing the processing system (110) are located together, such as nearsensing element(s) of the input device (100). In other embodiments,components of processing system (110) are physically separate with oneor more components close to the sensing element(s) of the input device(100), and one or more components elsewhere. For example, the inputdevice (100) may be a peripheral coupled to a computing device, and theprocessing system (110) may include software configured to run on acentral processing unit of the computing device and one or more ICs(perhaps with associated firmware) separate from the central processingunit. As another example, the input device (100) may be physicallyintegrated in a mobile device, and the processing system (110) mayinclude circuits and firmware that are part of a main processor of themobile device. In some embodiments, the processing system (110) isdedicated to implementing the input device (100). In other embodiments,the processing system (110) also performs other functions, such asoperating display screens, driving haptic actuators, etc.

The processing system (110) may be implemented as a set of modules thathandle different functions of the processing system (110). Each modulemay include circuitry that is a part of the processing system (110),firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments,different combinations of modules may be used. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the processing system (110) may include a determination module(150) and a sensor module (160). The determination module (150) mayinclude functionality to determine when at least one input object is ina sensing region, determine signal to noise ratio, determine positionalinformation of an input object, identify a gesture, determine an actionto perform based on the gesture, a combination of gestures or otherinformation, and/or perform other operations.

The sensor module (160) may include functionality to drive the sensingelements to transmit transmitter signals and receive the resultingsignals. For example, the sensor module (160) may include sensorycircuitry that is coupled to the sensing elements. The sensor module(160) may include, for example, a transmitter module and a receivermodule. The transmitter module may include transmitter circuitry that iscoupled to a transmitting portion of the sensing elements. The receivermodule may include receiver circuitry coupled to a receiving portion ofthe sensing elements and may include functionality to receive theresulting signals.

Although FIG. 1 shows a determination module (150) and a sensor module(160), alternative or additional modules may exist in accordance withone or more embodiments of the invention. Such alternative or additionalmodules may correspond to distinct modules or sub-modules than one ormore of the modules discussed above. Example alternative or additionalmodules include hardware operation modules for operating hardware suchas sensor electrodes and display screens, data processing modules forprocessing data such as sensor signals and positional information,reporting modules for reporting information, and identification modulesconfigured to identify gestures, such as mode changing gestures, andmode changing modules for changing operation modes. Further, the variousmodules may be combined in separate integrated circuits. For example, afirst module may be comprised at least partially within a firstintegrated circuit and a separate module may be comprised at leastpartially within a second integrated circuit. Further, portions of asingle module may span multiple integrated circuits. In someembodiments, the processing system as a whole may perform the operationsof the various modules.

In some embodiments, the processing system (110) responds to user input(or lack of user input) in the sensing region (120) directly by causingone or more actions. Example actions include changing operation modes,as well as graphical user interface (GUI) actions such as cursormovement, selection, menu navigation, and other functions. In someembodiments, the processing system (110) provides information about theinput (or lack of input) to some part of the electronic system (e.g. toa central processing system of the electronic system that is separatefrom the processing system (110), if such a separate central processingsystem exists). In some embodiments, some part of the electronic systemprocesses information received from the processing system (110) to acton user input, such as to facilitate a full range of actions, includingmode changing actions and GUI actions.

For example, in some embodiments, the processing system (110) operatesthe sensing element(s) of the input device (100) to produce electricalsignals indicative of input (or lack of input) in the sensing region(120). The processing system (110) may perform any appropriate amount ofprocessing on the electrical signals in producing the informationprovided to the electronic system. For example, the processing system(110) may digitize analog electrical signals obtained from the sensorelectrodes. As another example, the processing system (110) may performfiltering or other signal conditioning. As yet another example, theprocessing system (110) may subtract or otherwise account for abaseline, such that the information reflects a difference between theelectrical signals and the baseline. As yet further examples, theprocessing system (110) may determine positional information, determineforce information, recognize inputs as commands, recognize handwriting,and the like.

“Positional information” as used herein broadly encompasses absoluteposition, relative position, velocity, acceleration, and other types ofspatial information. Exemplary “zero-dimensional” positional informationincludes near/far or contact/no contact information. Exemplary“one-dimensional” positional information includes positions along anaxis. Exemplary “two-dimensional” positional information includesmotions in a plane. Exemplary “three-dimensional” positional informationincludes instantaneous or average velocities in space. Further examplesinclude other representations of spatial information. Historical dataregarding one or more types of positional information may also bedetermined and/or stored, including, for example, historical data thattracks position, motion, or instantaneous velocity over time.

“Force information” as used herein is intended to broadly encompassforce information regardless of format. For example, the forceinformation may be provided for each object as a vector or scalarquantity. As another example, the force information may be provided asan indication that determined force has or has not crossed a thresholdamount. As other examples, the force information can also include timehistory components used for gesture recognition. As will be described ingreater detail below, positional information and force information fromthe processing systems may be used to facilitate a full range ofinterface inputs, including use of the proximity sensor device as apointing device for selection, cursor control, scrolling, and otherfunctions.

In some embodiments, the input device (100) is implemented withadditional input components that are operated by the processing system(110) or by some other processing system. These additional inputcomponents may provide redundant functionality for input in the sensingregion (120), or some other functionality. FIG. 1 shows buttons (130)near the sensing region (120) that may be used to facilitate selectionof items using the input device (100). Other types of additional inputcomponents include sliders, balls, wheels, switches, and the like.Conversely, in some embodiments, the input device (100) may beimplemented with no other input components.

In some embodiments, the input device (100) includes a touch screeninterface, and the sensing region (120) overlaps at least part of anactive area of a display screen. For example, the input device (100) mayinclude substantially transparent sensor electrodes overlaying thedisplay screen and provide a touch screen interface for the associatedelectronic system. The display screen may be any type of dynamic displaycapable of displaying a visual interface to a user, and may include anytype of light emitting diode (LED), organic LED (OLED), cathode ray tube(CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, electroluminescence (EL),or other display technology. The input device (100) and the displayscreen may share physical elements. For example, some embodiments mayutilize some of the same electrical components for displaying andsensing. In various embodiments, one or more display electrodes of adisplay device may configured for both display updating and inputsensing. As another example, the display screen may be operated in partor in total by the processing system (110).

It should be understood that while many embodiments of the invention aredescribed in the context of a fully functioning apparatus, themechanisms of the present invention are capable of being distributed asa program product (e.g., software) in a variety of forms. For example,the mechanisms of the present invention may be implemented anddistributed as a software program on information bearing media that arereadable by electronic processors (e.g., non-transitorycomputer-readable and/or recordable/writable information bearing mediathat is readable by the processing system (110)). Additionally, theembodiments of the present invention apply equally regardless of theparticular type of medium used to carry out the distribution. Forexample, software instructions in the form of computer readable programcode to perform embodiments of the invention may be stored, in whole orin part, temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium. Examples of non-transitory, electronicallyreadable media include various discs, physical memory, memory, memorysticks, memory cards, memory modules, and or any other computer readablestorage medium. Electronically readable media may be based on flash,optical, magnetic, holographic, or any other storage technology.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the processing system, the input device,and/or the host system may include one or more computer processor(s),associated memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), cache memory, flashmemory, etc.), one or more storage device(s) (e.g., a hard disk, anoptical drive such as a compact disk (CD) drive or digital versatiledisk (DVD) drive, a flash memory stick, etc.), and numerous otherelements and functionalities. The computer processor(s) may be anintegrated circuit for processing instructions. For example, thecomputer processor(s) may be one or more cores, or micro-cores of aprocessor. Further, one or more elements of one or more embodiments maybe located at a remote location and connected to the other elements overa network. Further, embodiments of the invention may be implemented on adistributed system having several nodes, where each portion of theinvention may be located on a different node within the distributedsystem. In one embodiment of the invention, the node corresponds to adistinct computing device. Alternatively, the node may correspond to acomputer processor with associated physical memory. The node mayalternatively correspond to a computer processor or micro-core of acomputer processor with shared memory and/or resources.

While FIG. 1 shows a configuration of components, other configurationsmay be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, various components may be combined to create a singlecomponent. As another example, the functionality performed by a singlecomponent may be performed by two or more components.

Turning to FIGS. 2A-2C, FIGS. 2A-2C show cross-sectional diagrams inaccordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, aninput object (215) may apply various input forces (e.g., input force A(231), input force B (232), and input force C (233)) to an input device(200). In particular, an input force may include an amount of forceexerted by the input object (215) to an input surface of the inputdevice (200). Thus, the input force may span various locations in asensing region of the input device (200), and may also include one ormore different force magnitudes at different locations of the inputsurface.

In one or more embodiments, the input device (200) includes a low forcethreshold (205) and a high force threshold (210). As such, the forcethresholds (205, 210) may correspond to different values of forceinformation, which may categorize different intensities for differentinput forces. In one or more embodiments, a force threshold correspondsto a specific amount of force (e.g., a specific magnitude of forceand/or pressure). In one or more embodiments, a force thresholdcorresponds to a range of different force magnitudes. For example, thelow force threshold (205) and the high force threshold (210) may bedesignated in a lookup table accessed by a processing system. Whileforce thresholds may be defined using various amounts of force, in oneor more embodiments, a force threshold is defined using the duration oftime that an input force is applied above a specific force value. In oneor more embodiments, a force threshold is defined by an amount of areaon an input surface that obtains an input force above a specific forcevalue.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2A, the input force A (231) has a forcemagnitude that is below both the low force threshold (205) and the highforce threshold (210). In comparison, as shown in FIG. 2B, the inputforce B (232) has a force magnitude that exceeds the low force threshold(205), but fails to surpass the high force threshold (210). As shown inFIG. 2C, the input force C (233) may surpass both the low forcethreshold (205) and the high force threshold (210). While two forcethresholds are shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, other embodiments are contemplatedwhere three or more force thresholds are implemented using an inputdevice and/or processing system. Furthermore, categorizing an inputforce as a low force or a high force (also called a “press hard”) bywhether a respective force exceeds a high force threshold should not beintended as an actual description of the force magnitude of therespective force. The terminology between low forces and high forces ismerely used to distinguish that one force threshold corresponds to agreater force value than the force value corresponding to a differentforce threshold.

Turning to FIGS. 3A-3B, FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate gesture motions inaccordance with one or more embodiments. With respect to FIG. 3A, aninput object A (311) may make a gesture motion along a vertical axisfrom a previous input object A position (321) to the final position ofthe input object A (311). In contrast, as shown in FIG. 3B, an inputobject B (312) may make a gesture motion along a horizontal axis from aprevious input object B position (322) to the final position of inputobject B (312). Thus, FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate various gesture distances(i.e., gesture distance A (331), gesture distance B (332)) that maydescribe the length of movement as well as the direction of movementthat the input objects (311, 312) travel across a sensing region.

Turning to FIGS. 4A-4C, FIGS. 4A-4C show a system in accordance with oneor more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4A, a graphical user interface(GUI) (400) may operate on a display device (405). Specifically, thegraphical user interface (400) may be a combination of software and/orhardware that provides various graphical components (e.g., GUI window A(450), GUI Window B (455), and a cursor (475)) for both displayinginformation to a user and/or obtaining user inputs from the user. Inparticular, the display device (405) may be a screen on a portablecomputing device, e.g., a laptop, tablet, etc, where the input device(490) may be an indirect interaction device that is separate from thedisplay device (405), and thus, the input surface of the input device(490) does not overlap the screen of the display device (405). On theother hand, the graphical user interface (400) may also be located in adirect interaction device where the input surface of an input deviceoverlaps a screen of the display device. For example, a directinteraction device may be a handheld computer device, such as asmartphone.

Keeping with FIGS. 4A-4C, the input object (410) may apply an inputforce in connection with a gesture motion from an initial force location(415) in FIG. 4A to a final force location (425) in FIGS. 4B-4C. Inparticular, the gesture motion may include the input object (410)changing position from the previous input object position (440) to thefinal input object position as shown in FIG. 4B. In one or moreembodiments, the gesture motion includes an input force that exceeds ahigh force threshold, and where the chance in position occursirrespective of whether the movement happens before or after release ofthe input force below the high force threshold (e.g., after the inputobject (410) exerts sufficient force to pass a predetermined forcethreshold, the input object (410) relaxes the force below thepredetermined force threshold and proceeds to roll along the inputdevice (490)). In one or more embodiments, the gesture motion includes achange in position from the previous input object position (440) to thefinal input object position while the input force remains above the highforce threshold.

Turning to FIG. 4C, the graphical user interface (400) may obtainvarious commands and/or signals from an input device (490), which may betransformed into various interface actions. Specifically, a processingsystem (not shown) coupled to input object (410) may the commands and/orsignals, which may subsequently trigger various interface actions. Inone or more embodiments, interface actions are activities that produce achange in the graphical components of the graphical user interface (400)and/or a modification to a data source presented using graphicalcomponents within the graphical user interface (400). For example, aninterface action may correspond to functionality performed with a cursor(475), such as moving a cursor (475) from a previous cursor position(465).

In one or more embodiments, the interface actions are generated inresponse to detecting different types of input forces and/or differentgesture motions produced by the input object (410). In particular, thisinteraction between input forces and gesture motions may provide higherlevel context sensitive actions for the graphical user interface (400).Thus, an advantage of the interaction may implement various frequentlyused tasks to be performed based on the position of the input object(410) and/or cursor (475). For example, performing an interface actionin response to moving a short distance by the input object (410) mayreduce an amount of cursor movement by the user to perform the sameinterface action with the input force and gesture motion combination. Assuch, interface actions may be readily performed without having tonavigate the cursor (475) to another location on the graphical userinterface (400). Furthermore, using a slight gesture motion (e.g.,determined using a distance threshold as described in FIG. 7 and theaccompanying description) after applying a high input force may providean optimal method for selecting a particular interface action.Accordingly, the gesture motion may be small enough to distinguish anintended gesture motion by a user from an unintended position change ofthe input object (410) during the application of an input force.

In one or more embodiments, interface actions include a contentmanipulation action by a user with respect to content provided by thegraphical user interface (400). Content may include text as well aspictures, data objects, and various types of data files that are used bya computing device. In one or more embodiments, for example, a contentmanipulation action includes copying, moving, dragging, and cutting thecontent from one location within the graphical user interface (400). Onthe other hand, another content manipulation action may include pastingthe content to a different location within the graphical user interface(400). In one or more embodiments, content manipulation actions mayinclude undoing an edit or redoing the edit to content provided by thegraphical user interface (400).

In one or more embodiments, the interface action include a windowmanipulation action with respect to the GUI windows (450, 455) disposedin the graphical user interface (400). For example, a windowmanipulation action may maximize or minimize the GUI window A (450)within the graphical user interface (400). In another example, a windowmanipulation action may align the GUI window A (450) to a left-side(i.e, a “snap left” action) or the GUI window B (455) to the right-side(i.e, a “snap right” action) on the screen of the display device (405).

In one or more embodiments, an interface action generates an interfaceaction menu (430) that is displayed in the graphical user interface(400). The interface action menu (430) may list various interfaceactions (e.g., interface action A (431), interface action B (432),interface action C (433), interface action D (434)) using graphicalicons presented inside the interface action menu (430). Thus, theinterface action menu (430) may provide assistance to novice users inusing the graphical user interface (400). In one or more embodiments,the interface action menu is based on user activity performed with thegraphical user interface (400) prior to passing a high force threshold.

Turning to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart in accordance with one ormore embodiments. The process shown in FIG. 5 may involve, for example,one or more components discussed above in reference to FIG. 1 (e.g.,processing system (110)). While the various steps in FIG. 5 arepresented and described sequentially, one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that some or all of the steps may be executed indifferent orders, may be combined or omitted, and some or all of thesteps may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the steps may beperformed actively or passively.

In Step 500, positional information is obtained regarding inputobject(s) in accordance with one or more embodiments. Specifically,positional information may be obtained from various sensor electrodes asdescribed in FIG. 1 and the accompanying description. For example, thepositional information may be obtained using an input device to detectthe position of an input object in a sensing region. Thus, thepositional information may describe one or more positions of the inputobject within a sensing region, such as an initial position of the inputobject at one point in time and a final position of the input object ata later point in time.

In Step 510, force information is obtained regarding an input force inaccordance with one or more embodiments. Specifically, the forceinformation regarding the input force may be obtained from varioussensor electrodes as described in FIG. 1 and the accompanyingdescription.

In Step 520, a determination is made whether an input force exceeds ahigh force threshold in accordance with one or more embodiments.Specifically, in response to an application of an input force by aninput object to an input device, a processing system may determinewhether the input force exceeds the high force threshold using the forceinformation from Step 510. In one or more embodiments, for example, aforce threshold is defined by the processing system according to whetherone or more force values associated with the input force are at or abovea specified limit. Thus, the processing system may compare the forceinformation from an input force to the force values designated by aparticular force threshold to determine whether the input force exceedsthe high force threshold. In one or more embodiments, an input deviceincludes two or more force thresholds.

In Step 530, an interface action is selected using positionalinformation and/or force information in accordance with one or moreembodiments. In one or more embodiments, the interface action isselected according to the context of an input force and a gesturemovement by the input object associated with the input force. Forexample, a gesture motion may occur after an input force exceeds a highforce threshold. Depending on the type of input force and the type ofgesture motion, various force-and-gesture combinations may be producedthat correspond to different types of interface actions.

In one or more embodiments, the interface action may be selected by aprocessing system coupled to an input device. On the other hand, in oneor more embodiments, a graphical user interface selects the interfaceaction using a signal or message from an input device that describes theinput force and/or gesture motion described by the positionalinformation and/or force information.

In Step 550, an interface action is performed in response to an inputforce in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart in accordance with oneor more embodiments. The process shown in FIG. 6 may involve, forexample, one or more components discussed above in reference to FIG. 1(e.g., processing system (110)). While the various steps in FIG. 6 arepresented and described sequentially, one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that some or all of the steps may be executed indifferent orders, may be combined or omitted, and some or all of thesteps may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the steps may beperformed actively or passively.

In Step 600, force information is obtained regarding an input force inaccordance with one or more embodiments. In particular, forceinformation may be obtained from an input device having various sensorelectrodes. For example, the sensor electrodes may detect changes incapacitance resulting from input forces applied to an input surface ofan input device, e.g., by an input object. For more information onsensor electrodes, see FIG. 1 and the accompanying description.

In Step 610, a determination is made whether an input force is above alow force threshold in accordance with one or more embodiments. In oneor more embodiments, a processing system coupled to an input device maycompare the force information obtained from Step 600 to one or moredesignated force threshold values, e.g., in a lookup table. Thus, if thelow force threshold has a force cutoff value and the force informationregarding the input force surpasses it, then the processing system maydetermine that the low force threshold is exceeded. If the forceinformation does not surpass the force cutoff value, then the processingsystem may determine that the input force failed to exceed the low forcethreshold.

When it is determined that the input force fails to exceed the low forcethreshold, the process may proceed to Step 620. When it is determinedthat the input force exceeds the low force threshold, the process mayproceed to Step 630.

In Step 620, no action is performed in accordance with one or moreembodiments. Specifically, if the force information from Step 600 doesnot describe an input force that passes any force threshold, aprocessing system may determine that no interface action is to beperformed. On the other hand, a processing system may perform a defaultinterface action and/or an interface action based only on positionalinformation.

In Step 630, a determination is made whether an input force is above ahigh force threshold in accordance with one or more embodiments. In oneor more embodiments, using the force information from Step 500, aprocessing system determines whether the input force exceeds a highforce threshold. In one or more embodiments, for example, the processingsystem ignores the determination in Step 610 and only makes adetermination in Step 630. In one or more embodiments, where an inputdevice includes three or more force thresholds, one of the forcethresholds is designated as the high force threshold for variousinterface actions.

When it is determined that the input force fails to exceed the highforce threshold, the process may proceed to Step 633. When it isdetermined that the input force exceeds the high force threshold, theprocess may proceed to Step 640.

In Step 633, an interface action is selected for a low input force inaccordance with one or more embodiments. Using a determination that theforce information from Step 600 corresponds to a low input force, one ormore interface actions may be selected by a processing system. In one ormore embodiments, the selection of the interface action for the lowinput force is also based on a gesture motion determined by FIG. 7 andthe accompanying description below.

In Step 635, a haptic response is generated for a low input force inaccordance with one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, forexample, the haptic response is physical feedback generated for a userusing an input device. For example, the haptic response may be aphysical vibration and/or physical resistance experienced by a user ofan input device. In one or more embodiments, the haptic response isconfigured to emulate a physical response produced using a tactileswitch (also called “tact switch).

In Step 640, various interface actions and/or haptic responses aresuppressed for a low input force in accordance with one or moreembodiments. In one or more embodiments, upon determining that the inputforce passes a high force threshold in Step 630, a processing systemdetermines whether to ignore various interface actions and/or hapticresponses associated with passing a low force threshold but not passingthe high force threshold. For example, ignoring the interface actionsand/or haptic responses may involve designating that various processorinstructions are not to be performed.

In one or more embodiments, a rate of change of an input force isdetermined from the force information in Step 600. If the rate of changeis high, a haptic response for a low input force is ignored.

In Step 645, a haptic response is generated for a high input force inaccordance with one or more embodiments. In particular, the hapticresponse generated in Step 645 is similar to the haptic responseproduced in Step 635. In one or more embodiments, the haptic responsefor the high input force has a greater intensity than the hapticresponse for the low input force. For example, if the haptic responsecorresponds to a physical resistance to an input object, the physicalresistance produced by the input device may be greater for the highinput force than a low input force. In one or more embodiments, aprocessing system selects the type of haptic response using thedeterminations in Step 610 and/or Step 630.

In Step 650, a determination is made that an input force decreases belowat least a high force threshold in accordance with one or moreembodiments. In one or more embodiments, the force information from Step500 describes an input force at different points in time. As such, aninput force may exceed a low force threshold as well as a high forcethreshold, while an input object may eventually release the applicationof the input force accordingly. Thus, a processing system may determineat what time and/or the location in the sensing region does the inputforce falls below the high force threshold.

In one or more embodiments, a performance force threshold is used inplace of the high force threshold in Step 650. The performance thresholdmay be a force threshold that corresponds to a force value lower thanthe high force threshold in order to account for hysteresis. In one ormore embodiments, the performance force threshold designates a value ofan input force that occurs when an input object releases completely froman input surface.

In Step 655, an interface action is performed for a high input force inaccordance with one or more embodiments. Using the determination thatthe force information from Step 630 corresponds to a high input force,one or more interface actions may be selected by a processing system tobe performed. Thus, in one or more embodiments, a type of interfaceaction is performed based on when and/or the location of the inputobject where the input force falls below the high force threshold. Inone or more embodiments, the selection of the interface action for thehigh input force is also based on a gesture motion determined by FIG. 7and the accompanying description below.

In one or more embodiments, the low force threshold and the high forcethreshold described above with respect to FIG. 6 above, is used toimplement a multi-level tactile switch. For example, the low forcethreshold and high force threshold determinations in Steps 610 and 630may be used to produce a keyboard assembly where a high force producesone user input while a low force produces a different user input.

In one or more embodiments, multiple input objects are used with respectto FIG. 6 above. For example, where the input objects are fingers, onefinger may produce a low input force, while a different finger mayproduce a high input force. Thus, interface actions may be selected inSteps 633 and 655 using various combinations of low input forces andhigh input forces. In other embodiments, different interface actions areselected according to the number of input objects present on the inputsurface when at least one of the input objects produces a high inputforce. In one or more embodiments, for example, a first type of userinterface action menu is provided when two input objects present on aninput surface exceed a high input force, and a second type of userinterface action menu is provided when three input objects present onthe input surface exceed a high input force. Additionally, the highinput force threshold may be modified based on the number of inputobjects on the input surface. For example, two input objects may have alower high force threshold than the high force threshold for three inputobjects. Similarly, when multiple input objects are present on the inputsurface, the force applied by each input object may be consideredseparately and compared to an individual input object high forcethreshold different from a total force high force threshold. In one ormore embodiments, the total force threshold is an aggregate amount offorce measured for separate input objects present on the input surface.

Turning to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart in accordance with one ormore embodiments. The process shown in FIG. 7 may involve, for example,one or more components discussed above in reference to FIG. 1 (e.g.,processing system (110)). While the various steps in FIG. 7 arepresented and described sequentially, one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that some or all of the steps may be executed indifferent orders, may be combined or omitted, and some or all of thesteps may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the steps may beperformed actively or passively.

In Step 700, initial positional information is obtained regarding one ormore input objects in accordance with one or more embodiments. In one ormore embodiments, a processing system records positional informationregarding the position of an input object in a sensing region at regularintervals, e.g., for each sensing interval when a new capacitive imageof the sensing region is acquired by the input device. In one or moreembodiments, the initial positional information corresponds to theposition of the input object when an input force exceeds a low forcethreshold or a high force threshold.

In Step 710, final positional information is obtained regarding one ormore input objects in accordance with one or more embodiments. In one ormore embodiments, the final positional information corresponds to theposition of the input object when an input force falls below aparticular force threshold. For example, a processing system may obtainfinal positional information regarding the position of the input objectwhen an applied input force drops below a high force threshold. In oneor more embodiments, the final positional information from Step 700 isdetermined independent of when an input force falls below a particularforce threshold.

In Step 715, a change in position regarding one or more input objects isdetermined in accordance with one or more embodiments. Specifically, thechange in position may be determined by the difference between theinitial positional information from Step 700 and the final positionalinformation from Step 710. In one or more embodiments, the change inposition corresponds to a gesture distance measured after an input forcefalls below a high force threshold.

In Step 720, direction of movement regarding one or more input objectsis determined in accordance with one or more embodiments. In one or moreembodiments, using the change in position determined in Step 715, thedirection of movement of the input object is determined. For example, aprocessing system may determine which cardinal direction or directions(e.g., northwest, southeast) is an input object moving.

In Step 730, force information is obtained regarding an input force inaccordance with one or more embodiments. Force information may beobtained similar to Step 600 as described in FIG. 6.

In Step 735, a type of input force is determined in accordance with oneor more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, Step 735 corresponds toone or more steps from FIG. 6. In particular, one or more steps fromFIG. 6 may be used to determine whether the force information from Step630 describes an input force below a low force threshold, between a lowforce threshold and a high force threshold, or above the high forcethreshold.

In Step 740, a determination is made whether a change in position of oneor more input objects exceeds a distance threshold in accordance withone or more embodiments. Specifically, the change in position determinedin Step 715 may be compared to a distance threshold. For example, aprocessing system may determine whether an input object produces agesture distance that exceeds the distance threshold. In one or moreembodiments, gesture distance A (331) and gesture distance B (332) inFIGS. 3A-3B described above are examples illustrating the change inposition of an input object.

In one or more embodiments, multiple distance thresholds are used. Forexample, a processing system may determine that the change in positionfrom Step 715 is greater than distance threshold A, but less thandistance threshold B. In one or more embodiments, an interface actionmay be selected according to which distance thresholds are exceed by thechange in position.

When it is determined that the change in position fails to exceed thedistance threshold, the process may proceed to Step 745. When it isdetermined that the change in position exceeds the distance threshold,the process may proceed to Step 750.

In Step 745, an interface action is performed using a type of inputforce and based on the change in position failing to exceed the distancethreshold in accordance with one or more embodiments. For example, ifthe input force exceeds a high force threshold, but fails to exceed thedistance threshold, one type or group of interface actions may beselected. On the other hand, if the input force exceeds only the lowforce threshold, another type or group of interface actions may beselected. Accordingly, a processing system may perform the interfaceaction within a graphical user interface. In one or more embodiments,the interface action is selected based on the change of positiondetermined in Step 715 and/or the direction of movement determined inStep 720. In other words, a gesture motion in the sensing region northmay cause one type of interface action to be performed, while a gesturemotion in the opposite direction may cause a different type of interfaceaction to be performed. Conversely, if the gesture motion occurs beforeor after an input force falls below a high force threshold, differentinterface actions may be performed accordingly.

In one or more embodiments, a previous of an interface action isgenerated within the graphical user interface in Step 745. Inparticular, failing to exceed the distance threshold may produce theprevious, while exceeding the distance threshold may cause theperformance of the interface action. As such, the previous may be shownin a GUI window within the graphical user interface.

In Step 750, an interface action is performed using a type of inputforce and based on the change in position exceeding the distancethreshold in accordance with one or more embodiments. In one or moreembodiments, where a previous of an interface action or an interfaceaction menu is displayed in a graphical user interface, a gesture motionwith a change in position exceeding the distance threshold removed thepreview or interface action menu.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C provide an example of generating an interfaceaction with a press hard and gesture motion. The following example isfor explanatory purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

Turning to FIG. 8A, a graphical user interface is shown on a smartphone(800). Specifically, the graphical user interface includes severalinterface action icons (e.g., Call (881), Volume (882), Video (883), WebBrowser (884), User Settings (885)) as well as a couple of GUI windowswith various messages (i.e., Newton's Message (850), Leibniz's Message(855)). As shown in FIG. 8A, a finger (810) is pressing on the screen ofthe smartphone (800) to apply an input force at an initial forcelocation (815).

Turning to FIG. 8B, the finger (810) maintains an input force applied tothe screen of the smartphone (800), while the finger (810) also slidesalong the screen to a final force location (825). Thus, the finger (810)produces a gesture motion between the previous finger position (840) anda final finger position as shown in FIG. 8B.

Turning to FIG. 8C, a processing system (not shown) in the smartphone(800) selects an interface action according the input force applied bythe finger (810) as well as the gesture motion of the finger (810)illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Accordingly, the processing systemselects an interface action that produces a smartphone menu (830) at thetip of the finger (810). As shown, the smartphone menu (830) lists otherinterface actions now available for quick access (e.g., copy (831),minimize (833), maximize (834), and show desktop (835)) to a user.

Embodiments may be implemented on a computing system. Any combination ofmobile, desktop, server, embedded, or other types of hardware may beused. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the computing system (900) mayinclude one or more computer processor(s) (902), associated memory (904)(e.g., random access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory, etc.),one or more storage device(s) (906) (e.g., a hard disk, an optical drivesuch as a compact disk (CD) drive or digital versatile disk (DVD) drive,a flash memory stick, etc.), and numerous other elements andfunctionalities. The computer processor(s) (902) may be an integratedcircuit for processing instructions. For example, the computerprocessor(s) may be one or more cores, or micro-cores of a processor.The computing system (900) may also include one or more input device(s)(910), such as a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, microphone, touchpad,electronic pen, or any other type of input device. Further, thecomputing system (900) may include one or more output device(s) (908),such as a screen (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasmadisplay, touchscreen, cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, projector, orother display device), a printer, external storage, or any other outputdevice. One or more of the output device(s) may be the same or differentfrom the input device(s). The computing system (900) may be connected toa network (912) (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN) such as the Internet, mobile network, or any other type ofnetwork) via a network interface connection (not shown). The input andoutput device(s) may be locally or remotely (e.g., via the network(912)) connected to the computer processor(s) (902), memory (904), andstorage device(s) (906). Many different types of computing systemsexist, and the aforementioned input and output device(s) may take otherforms.

Software instructions in the form of computer readable program code toperform embodiments of the invention may be stored, in whole or in part,temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computer readable mediumsuch as a CD, DVD, storage device, a diskette, a tape, flash memory,physical memory, or any other computer readable storage medium.Specifically, the software instructions may correspond to computerreadable program code that when executed by a processor(s), isconfigured to perform embodiments of the invention.

Further, one or more elements of the aforementioned computing system(900) may be located at a remote location and connected to the otherelements over a network (912). Further, embodiments of the invention maybe implemented on a distributed system having a plurality of nodes,where each portion of the invention may be located on a different nodewithin the distributed system. In one embodiment of the invention, thenode corresponds to a distinct computing device. Alternatively, the nodemay correspond to a computer processor with associated physical memory.The node may alternatively correspond to a computer processor ormicro-core of a computer processor with shared memory and/or resources.

Thus, the embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented inorder to best explain the present invention and its particularapplication and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make anduse the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe foregoing description and examples have been presented for thepurposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forthis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: obtaining force information regarding an input force applied by at least one input object to a sensing region of an input device; determining, using the force information, that the input force exceeds a first force threshold, wherein the first force threshold corresponds to a first amount of force; determining, using the force information, whether the input force exceeds a second force threshold, wherein the second force threshold corresponds to a second amount of force that is greater than the first amount of force; obtaining positional information for the at least one input object in the sensing region of the input device; determining, using the positional information, that a first change in position of the at least one input object is less than a distance threshold when the input force exceeds the second force threshold; and performing an interface action within a graphical user interface in response to determining that the input force decreases below at least the second force threshold.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, using the positional information, that a second change in positional information occurs after the input force decreases below at least the second force threshold and the second change in positional information is less than the distance threshold, wherein performing the interface action comprises selecting the interface action from a plurality of interface actions in response to determining that the second change in position is less than the distance threshold.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a preview of the interface action within the graphical user interface in response to determining that the first change in position of the at least one input object fails to exceed the distance threshold.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the positional information describes a direction of movement by the at least one input object within the sensing region, and wherein the interface action is selected from a plurality of interface actions based on a direction of movement of the at least one input object from a position of the at least one input object in the sensing region and that is determined when the force of the at least one input object exceeded the second force threshold.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the positional information comprises an initial position of the at least one input object in the sensing region determined when the force applied by the at least one input object exceeds the second threshold and a final position of the at least one input object in the sensing region determined when the force applied by the at least one input object decreases below at least the second force threshold.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: suppressing, in response to determining that the input force exceeds the second force threshold, a first haptic response corresponding to the first force threshold; and generating a second haptic response corresponding to the second force threshold, wherein the first haptic response and the second haptic response are generated by the input device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to determining that the input force exceeds the second force threshold, performing the interface action comprises displaying an interface action menu within the graphical user interface.
 8. A processing system for an input device, the input device configured to sense positional information and force information for input objects in a sensing region of the input device, the processing system comprising: sensor circuitry communicatively coupled to a plurality of sensor electrodes of the input device; wherein the processing system is configured to: determine force information regarding an input force applied by at least one input object to an input surface; determine, using the force information, that the input force exceeds a first force threshold, wherein the first force threshold corresponds to a first amount of force; determine, using the force information, whether the input force exceeds a second force threshold, wherein the second force threshold corresponds to a second amount of force that is greater than the first amount of force; determine, using the plurality of sensor electrodes, positional information for the at least one input object in the sensing region; determine, using the positional information, that a first change in position of the at least one input object is less than a distance threshold when the input force exceeds the second force threshold; and perform an interface action within a graphical user interface in response to determining that the input force decreases below at least the second force threshold.
 9. The processing system of claim 8, further configured to: determine, using the positional information, that a second change in positional information, occurring after the input force decreases below at least the second force threshold, is less than the distance threshold, wherein performing the interface action comprises selecting the interface action in response to determining the second change in position is less than the distance threshold.
 10. The processing system of claim 8, further configured to: generate a preview of the interface action within the graphical user interface in response to determining that the first change in position of the at least one input object fails to exceed the distance threshold.
 11. The processing system of claim 8, wherein the positional information describes a direction of movement by the at least one input object within the sensing region, and wherein the interface action is selected from a plurality of interface actions based on a direction of movement of the at least one input object from a position of the at least one input object in the sensing region and that is determined when the force of the at least one input object exceeded at least the second force threshold.
 12. The processing system of claim 8, wherein the positional information comprises an initial position of the at least one input object in the sensing region determined when the force applied by the at least one input object exceeds the second threshold and a final position of the at least one input object in the sensing region determined when the force applied by the at least one input object decreases below at least the second force threshold.
 13. The processing system of claim 8, further configured to: display an interface action menu within the graphical user interface in response to determining that the input force exceeds the second force threshold.
 14. An electronic system, comprising: a display device configured to display a graphical user interface; an input device comprising a plurality of sensor electrodes and an input surface having a sensing region; and a processing system communicatively coupled to the display device and the input device, the processing system configured to: determine force information regarding an input force applied by at least one input object to the input surface; determine, using the force information, that the input force exceeds a first force threshold, wherein the first force threshold corresponds to a first amount of force; determine, using the force information, whether the input force exceeds a second force threshold, wherein the second force threshold corresponds to a second amount of force that is greater than the first amount of force; determine positional information for the at least one input object in the sensing region; determine, using the positional information, that a first change in position of the at least one input object is less than a distance threshold when the input force exceeds the second force threshold; and perform an interface action within the graphical user interface in response to determining that the input force decreases below at least the second force threshold.
 15. The electronic system of claim 14, wherein the display device and the input device are disposed in a portable computing device, and wherein the input device comprises a touchpad separate from the display device in the portable computing device.
 16. The electronic system of claim 14, wherein the display device and the input device are disposed in a handheld computing device, and wherein the input device is integrated with a screen in the display device.
 17. The electronic system of claim 14, wherein the processing system is further configured to: determine, using the positional information, that a second change in positional information, occurring after the input force decreases below at least the second force threshold, is less than the distance threshold, wherein performing the interface action comprises selecting, in response to determining the second change in position is less than the distance threshold, the interface action.
 18. The electronic system of claim 14, wherein the processing system is further configured to: generate a preview of the interface action within the graphical user interface in response to determining that the first change in position of the at least one input object fails to exceed the distance threshold.
 19. The electronic system of claim 14, wherein the positional information describes a direction of movement by the at least one input object in the sensing region, and wherein the interface action is selected from a plurality of interface actions based on a direction of movement of the at least one input object from a location of the at least one input object in the sensing region determined when the force of the at least one input object exceeded the second force threshold.
 20. The electronic system of claim 14, wherein the positional information comprises an initial position of the at least one input object in the sensing region determined when the force applied by the at least one input object exceeds the second threshold and a final position of the at least one input object in the sensing region that is determined when the force applied by the at least one input object decreases below at least the second force threshold. 